Cunard Line’s flagship, the 2,691-passenger Queen Mary 2, embarked a bit later than scheduled from New York City on November 26, 2025, and its Caribbean itinerary over Thanksgiving was also altered, according to Cruise Hive. Since mid-November the liner has apparently experienced a propulsion issue limiting speed. In fact, QM2 had previously diverted to Bremerhaven, Germany, instead of Hamburg, Germany, to facilitate repairs. Travel Agent Central has asked Cunard for the latest update.
Last week, New in Cruise covered the recent death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on the Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Horizon. Now, in the latest development, ABC News said that it has received a copy of the teen’s death certificate from Kepner’s family. That official document deemed her death “a homicide” and said she was “mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)." The FBI is still investigating. No criminal charges have yet been filed.
Holiday Season Begins
Kicking off the 2025 holiday season, Holland America Line cruised along the streets of New York last Wednesday during the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As the line's Alaska-themed float, its first ever in the parade, stopped in front of Macy’s Herald Square flagship store during the television broadcast, famed singer Jewel, an Alaska native, performed her hit, “You Were Meant for Me.”
Disney Cruise Line also fielded a large float in this year’s parade, according to Seatrade Cruise News.
While many Thanksgiving and Black Friday cruise deals are over or ending today, other great cruise line sales continue this week during Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday. Some deals even extend throughout the week or even beyond.
For instance, earlier today, Celebrity Cruises announced that it will extend its Black Friday sale through Tuesday, December 2. Travelers can save up to $1,000 on fares. Other perks include 75% off a second guest in the stateroom or suite with nonrefundable deposits or 50% off that second guest with refundable deposits). And the third, fourth or fifth guests in the stateroom/suite can sail free on select sailings through May 2028.
Separately, Sea Cloud Cruises is offering a Black Friday/Cyber Monday offer with savings of up to 50% on select 2026 sailings booked by December 15, 2025. The promotion is now available on more than 15 voyages across the Caribbean and Europe aboard Sea Cloud Spirit and Sea Cloud II.
Small-Ship Growth
On the trend front, many small-ship luxury lines are beefing up their fleets, thanks to strong consumer demand. Emerald Cruises, a small-ship brand of Scenic Group, just celebrated the float out of its 128-passenger Emerald Kaia and the keel laying for sister Emerald Raiya. More new super yachts will also join the Emerald fleet by 2028.
Aurora Expeditions welcomed its new 154-passenger Douglas Mawson in Sydney, Australia, last week. As the ship’s godmother, Emma McEwin, great-granddaughter of Australian Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, used a block of ice instead of Champagne to christen the ship, according to Seatrade Cruise News.
Four Seasons Yachts, which will debut with the 95-suite Four Seasons I in 2026, is already preparing for its second 2027 Mediterranean season. It just announced 33 voyages to more than 40 new ports of call; the introduction of Egypt; and no repeated itineraries in the Mediterranean.
In other small ship news, Ponant Explorations is collaborating with Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Pomellato and Ginori 1735 to create the new “Made in Italy, the luxury edition” voyage on the 264-passenger Le Boreal. Sailing from Livorno (Tuscany) to Venice on September 8, 2027, the small ship cruise will celebrate Italy and focus on arts and crafts.
More Cruise News
Silversea is introducing two cruise industry firsts to delight guests traveling on its ultra-luxury ships. One is "Off the Deck’s SeaDrivePro,” a portable golf simulator designed for superyachts. Another is “amp,” a fitness-focused, AI-powered strength training system.
Another ultra-luxury line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced a new Knightsbridge Circle partnership to enhance the pre- and post-cruise travel experience for guests staying in its top-end Regent Suite and Skyview Regent Suite. And separately, Azamara is unveiling a new pre-cruise program for dining and spa reservations. It will be introduced in phases this month.
Related Stories
The Best Black Friday Deals on Travel
Black Friday at Sea: The Best Cruise Line Deals and Perks
New in Cruise: Teen's Death on Carnival, African Route Growth
New in Cruise: MSC Orders, New Ship Debuts & Black Friday Deals